His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam, left Indonesia's capital Jakarta Monday afternoon, after attending the Asia-Africa Summit 2005 and the Commemoration Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee of the Asia-Africa Conference 1955.

His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam. Prior to departure to the airport, doa selamat was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Aziz bin Juned.

Present at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to bid farewell to His Majesty were Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sports, His Excellency Adi Aksa Dault, and the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic, His Excellency Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Dr. Haji Mohamad Amin bin Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahim.

In his address, Yang Berhormat Pehin touched on various relations between the two countries, including education which remains an integral part of bilateral cooperation. Brunei, he said, attaches great importance in continuing to send students and officers to the United Kingdom to pursue various programmes especially in medicine, law and engineering.

Yang Berhormat also said both countries share the same desire of promoting mutual economic cooperation. Brunei sees the importance for its local private sector to explore various projects available in both countries. The country hopes that the Britain-Brunei Business Forum will continue to enhance business linkages between businessmen of both countries.

Earlier, the British High Commissioner, His Excellency Andrew Caie, touched on recent developments in the relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom. This includes the flourishing collaboration in the field of medical education, which resulted in the setting up of a successful local primary health care diploma course with the Saint George's Hospital Medical School, a part of the London University.

Now, the institution and the Universiti Brunei Darussalam are about to establish a joint degree course for medical students with the first part of the curriculum here, in Brunei and the second part in London. Successful students will emerge fully trained with two degrees.

Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom enjoy a long history of friendship and cooperation that is based on mutual respect and trust. The close friendship between the two nations is reflected by the exchange of visits of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam and of Her Majesty the Queen, members of the respective royal families as well as ministers, officials and peoples from all walks of life. These visits have enhanced and strengthened both countries relations and cooperation, especially in defence and education.

A Bruneian woman has been fined by the magistrate's court, a total of one thousand 300 dollars or three months imprisonment in default, for violations of the broadcasting and customs acts

Salamiah binti Yaakub, 28, was found guilty of bringing into the country without permit, one unit of digital satellite receiver. She was apprehended by customs officials at the Brunei International Airport on the 3rd of September last year. Salamiah has been given a grace period of two months to pay the fine.

Intellectual property rights are to offer the same benefits as physical property rights. Owners of Intellectual property can control and receive rewards from their usage to encourage creativity and innovation for mutual benefit. The Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair made the remarks at

the University Brunei Darussalam Information Week 2005, and a Seminar on Intellectual Property with a theme, "Think, Imagine, Create." The function took place this morning at University Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with the World Intellectual Property Day which falls tomorrow.

Pehin Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair said the intellectual property right is intangible, meaning it can not be measured by physical size. However, it needs to be controlled and protected based on the economic activity of a country in view of the rapid intellectual information and product. Yang Berhormat said information and intellectual property

are two aspects which are closely inter-related. Recorded knowledge that covers ideas, thoughts, imagination, creation, design and the like, needs control and legal mechanism in order to further upgrade an individual's creativity and innovation standards.

The Permanent Secretary also touched on the four components of Intellectual Property law which have been enforced. These include Trademark, Copyright, Industrial Design and Layout Design; while Patent Order will be enforced soon. All the components are in line with the International Standard of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, WIPO,

as stated in the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, TRIPS. Without such laws, industries and more so individuals who are dependent on creativity and intellectual capability will surely be threatened. Cases of piracy alone have brought losses of millions of dollars every year to the entertainment industry. As a result, the creativity industry will not be one that promises security and its development may be thwarted. Besides that, without the confidence towards the intellectual property rights in this country, foreign investors in the related industry will shy away, and such an image in the long run would certainly affect investors' confidence in the country's credibility.

Pehin Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair then launched two books entitled "Pengajaran Pengayaan Kosa Kata," written by Pengiran Haji Mahmud bin Pengiran Haji Damit, and "Index to Conference Papers" by UBD Academic Staff, compiled by Dayang Merhane binti Mohamed Salleh and Dayang Noraidah binti Haji Abdul Latif. Several subject matters of interest

will be discussed during the four-day seminar on Intellectual Property Right pertaining to issues faced by individuals and organisations in Brunei Darussalam.